Eyes Up - part 12 - Dark Place

Are you anxious? Stressed? Worried? Uneasy? Nervous? Overwhelmed?

What a silly group of questions.

I know I can be. I know you can be.

Did you know that Jesus was a little stressed? He had the weight of the entire world on His shoulders. Talk about a stressing moment. We read about that moment in Jesus' life in the Gospels of Mark and Luke:

“And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,’”- Luke 22:44 + Mark 14:34a NIV

Jesus knew what was going to happen to Him (John 18:4). He knew of the pain to come and it was weighing heavy on Him. He was greatly overwhelmed. He was human after all. While Jesus was under this great pressure, He had His eyes up and He went and prayed to God:

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” - Luke 22:42 NIV

Now God didn't take away the pain that Jesus was going to be going through. But God did give Jesus the strength to get through it:

“An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.” - Luke 22:43 NIV

The same goes from us. Sometimes God will remove a situation for us. But sometimes He will give us strength to get through whatever we are facing or getting ready to face. Paul tells us this:

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” - 1 Peter 5:7 NIV

This verse says ALL - not some or few - ALL of your worries, fears, anxieties and uneasiness. Give them all to Jesus! Why?

BECAUSE HE CARES FOR YOU!

He cares for us. He's been there. He's been under the pressure. He's been under the stress. He's been overwhelmed. He can handle your pressure, your fear, and your anxiety.

Give them over to Jesus today. Don't let them weigh you down anymore. Don't let them keep you up at night. Let Jesus give you the peace and strength to make it through. There's joy on the other side.

I asked a friend who battles this very thing to share something brief about this and this is what she said:

“God already knows your struggles, your anxiety, your pain. He is waiting for you to hand it over to him. He is waiting for you to lean in and let go. God’s got you. He never said it would be easy to do, but it will be worth it.” [1]

Now - do it now - give ALL your anxiety to Jesus.

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.” - 2 Thessalonians 3:16 NLT

EYES UP!

____________________

[1] by Courtney

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